Cable pathway divider and method for installing same

Abstract

A cable pathway divider, for installation on a cable runway, includes a pair of post halves and a ring-shaped locking member. Each post half includes a base portion and an extension portion, and the base portions of the post halves are arrangeable at opposite sides of a cross member of a cable runway. The post halves are securable to one another from opposite sides of the cross member, via clamping arrangement of the ring-shaped locking member relative to the post halves, such that the extension portions extend into a space above the cable runway to divide the cable runway into at least two cable paths.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cable pathway management system comprising:
 a cable runway including a pair of parallel rails and a plurality of transverse cross members, each transverse cross member extending between the pair of parallel rails; 
 at least one pathway divider anchored to a selected one of the plurality of transverse cross members and extending into a space above the cable runway, thereby dividing the space above the cable runway into separate cable pathways; and 
 a removable annular locking member; 
 wherein the at least one pathway divider is comprised of a pair of post halves coupled to one another in a side-by-side relationship, each including a base portion that interfaces with the selected one of the plurality of transverse cross members and including an extension portion that extends away from the base portion into the space above the cable runway; 
 wherein the removable annular locking member is disposed around and fittingly engaged against the coupled pair of post halves, thereby locking the coupled pair of post halves together; and 
 wherein each extension portion is wider at a proximal end than at a distal end and is gradually tapered along its length. 
 
     
     
       2. The cable pathway management system of  claim 1 , wherein the post halves are identical to one another. 
     
     
       3. The cable pathway management system of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion of each post half defines a receiving channel open toward an interior-facing surface thereof, the receiving channels combining to form a combined channel that fittingly accommodates a cross-sectional shape of the selected one of the plurality of transverse cross members when the post halves are coupled to one another. 
     
     
       4. The cable pathway management system of  claim 1 , wherein each post half includes one or more alignment tabs that extend beyond an interior-facing surface thereof, the one or more alignment tabs of each post half being configured to align with the one or more alignment tabs of the other post half when the post halves are coupled to one another. 
     
     
       5. The cable pathway management system of  claim 1 , wherein each post half includes a prong and a socket disposed at opposite sides of a center line. 
     
     
       6. The cable pathway management system of  claim 5 , wherein, when the post halves are coupled to one another, the prong of each post half is received within the socket of the other post half. 
     
     
       7. The cable pathway management system of  claim 1 , wherein each post half includes a slot at a distal end of the extension portion and a hinge member having a tab, each of the slot and the hinge member being disposed at opposite sides of a center line. 
     
     
       8. The cable pathway management system of  claim 7 , wherein, when the post halves are coupled to one another, the tab of each post half is received within the slot of the other post half, thereby defining a hinge mechanism. 
     
     
       9. The cable pathway management system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pathway divider includes at least a pair of pathway dividers. 
     
     
       10. A method of securing a cable pathway divider to a cable runway, the method comprising:
 providing a cable pathway divider having a pair of post halves, each including a slot at a distal end thereof and a hinge member protruding from an underside thereof, wherein, for each post half,
 each of the slot and the hinge member are disposed at opposite sides of a center line, 
 the hinge member includes a tab that projects at an angle from a distal end thereof, and 
 at least one side of the tab projects from the hinge member at an angle less than ninety degrees; 
 
 positioning the tab of each hinge member within the slot of the other post half, thereby defining a hinge mechanism that facilitates rotational movement of each post half relative to the other; and 
 rotating the post halves toward one another such that the post halves are arranged in a side-by-side relationship with a cross member of a cable runway received within a combined channel formed adjacent proximal ends of the post halves, whereby the distal ends of the post halves are disposed in a space above the cable runway, thereby dividing the space above the cable runway into separate cable pathways. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 positioning the distal ends of the post halves through an opening of an annular locking member; and 
 sliding the annular locking member toward the proximal ends of the post halves, thereby facilitating clamping arrangement of the annular locking member relative to the post halves. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the post halves are identical to one another. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising positioning an alignment tab of one of the post halves against an alignment tab of the other of the post halves when the post halves are rotated toward one another for arrangement in the side-by-side relationship. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein each post half includes a prong and a socket disposed at opposite sides of a center line. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising fitting the prong of each post half within the socket of the other post half when the post halves are rotated toward one another for arrangement in the side-by-side relationship.